Chicago, IL — August 17, 2017

CBOE Vest Technologies, a software company enabling users to work with target outcome investment strategies, and the Options Industry Council (OIC), a provider of unbiased options education, are working together to educate investors and broaden the appeal of options with a new online tool, The Options Strategy Builders.

The Options Strategy Builders, available on OIC's website, helps users develop and test two popular options strategies -- the collar and the covered call. Using the previous day's closing prices, the Options Strategy Builders can test multiple trade scenarios and visualize the potential profit and loss results in an easy-to-read graphic with no calculation required.

"Our goal in bringing our Options Strategy Builders to OIC is to popularize the use of options by encouraging people who may be unfamiliar with options trading to try out these popular strategies in a virtual trading environment," said Alex Zhigarev, COO at CBOE Vest Technologies. "Our user-friendly tool makes it simpler for users, regardless of their investing experience, to learn how collars and covered calls can be effectively used in an investment portfolio."

"We are thrilled to offer the Options Strategy Builders on the OIC website, as it will provide investors with the ability to better understand how the covered call and collar strategies work," said Mary Savoie, OIC Executive Director. "As a leading provider of unbiased options education, OIC is committed to helping investors, financial advisors, and market participants understand how these risk management products can provide valuable and versatile solutions for various investing goals."

To use the Options Strategy Builders, users first select which strategy builder to use, choose the stock or ETF symbol they’d like to test and then set the expiration date. The tool builds the strategy and displays the potential results. Users can also show option positions for more details and an explanation of the results.

The tool available on OIC’s website is a portion of a broader platform offered by CBOE Vest Technologies. The complete platform, including expanded strategy testing and trade execution, is available with a CBOE Vest Technologies account and can be accessed through the CBOE Vest Technologies website.

OIC is an industry resource funded by OCC, the world’s largest equity derivatives clearing organization, and the U.S. options exchanges to provide free and unbiased education to investors and financial advisors about the benefits and risks of exchange-listed equity options. Managed by OCC, OIC offers education which includes webinars, podcasts, videos, seminars, self-directed online courses, mobile tools, and live help. OIC's Roundtable is the independent governing body of the Council and is comprised of representatives from the exchanges, member brokerage firms and OCC. For more information on the educational services OIC provides for investors, visit www.OptionsEducation.org.

CBOE Vest Technologies, OIC and their respective affiliates do not recommend or make any representation as to possible benefits from any securities, strategies or investments, or third-party products or services. Investors should undertake their own due diligence regarding their securities and investment practices. This press release speaks only as of this date. We disclaim any duty to update the information herein.

Nothing in this announcement should be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell any securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or solicitation would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. Nothing contained in this communication constitutes tax, legal or investment advice. Investors must consult their tax adviser or legal counsel for advice and information concerning their particular situation.

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This web site discusses exchange-traded options issued by The Options Clearing Corporation. No statement in this web site is to be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell a security, or to provide investment advice. Options involve risk and are not suitable for all investors. Prior to buying or selling an option, a person must receive a copy of Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options. Copies of this document may be obtained from your broker, from any exchange on which options are traded or by contacting The Options Clearing Corporation, One North Wacker Dr., Suite 500 Chicago, IL 60606 (investorservices@theocc.com).